Woeful weather can't dampen the spirits at Vintage Stony

The weather started bad and got worse, but the spirit of attendees to the annual Vintage and Classic car and motorcycle festival would not be dampened. Anything for a bacon butty, a hair of the dog and the opportunity to talk ‘oily bits’!

Many visitors pitched up and make a dash for one of the many pubs, restaurants and coffee shops that opened up especially for the event.

2014 numbers at this traditional New Year's Day meet were down marginally on last year, but it’s not all about quantity is it? There was a nice bit of schmutter about, no dilution here!

The rain rolled out of the west to dash itself to a standstill on the brave bikers, but they arrived regardless, in strong numbers and certainly ‘hot’ in the quality stakes. A 1925 BSA Lightweight Model B 'Round Tank', Anstey plungered Ariel (Fieldsman?) and Model 6 AJS 2-wheelers, competed with Morgan’s and the gorgeous V twin, 1919 Mills Busy Bee, of the motor tricycle possie.

The ‘Oldest’ got older and for the first time the prize went to a nineteenth century wonder – a 1896 Leon Bollee Voiturette. (A special mention must be made to the drivers ‘servant’ who in the spirit of the age and adhering to the Locomotive Act, paced out ahead with red flag raised! (Now that’s the spirit of Vintage Stony)

‘Farthest Travelled’ went to a 1930 Hotchkiss AM2 Monaco, from Solihull, West Midlands.

Judges Take Home Car was chosen by the chairman of the Stony Stratford Business Association “The arrival of this car and driver epitomised to me the spirit of the Vintage Stony gathering”. His pick, a lovely 1929 Riley Brooklands.

The classic side was also well attended with many vehicles new to the Vintage Stony scene, cream of the Vauxhall crop, a stunning ’54 Velox straying not too far from its Luton roots.